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The pressures on the city’s fleet of 18,163 cabs are significant, but for residents and visitors alike, attention to improving the quality of service could help soften the blow from having to pay more for the ride.
The scheme that will see volunteers provide taxi passengers with an estimated fare before their journey is a small but meaningful step in deterring gouging.
Taxi drivers who give their colleagues and city a bad name face punishment under a demerit system that is sorely needed.
Much-criticised city cabbies only withdrew strike threat after government pledged to crack down on ride-hailing services preferred by many.
Subsidies, tax concessions and more charging points are crucial if Hong Kong wants to eliminate cars that run on fossil fuels.
The industry must rise to the challenge of new services and technologies and adapt or risk being further marginalised.
The city’s cabbies have to show that they are fit to drive and no danger to themselves, passengers and public
- Two drivers pleaded guilty to charging excessive fees, as well as failing to display taxi licence and use meter after being caught by undercover officers
- Police warn drivers they are ramping up enforcement over Labour Day ‘golden week’ holiday
More inspections will be conducted in city’s tourist attractions, control points, restaurants and shops during mainland China holiday from May 1 to 5, authorities say.
Commissioner for Transport Angela Lee says authorities will strike a balance between the financial sustainability of trade and public’s acceptance of fare increases.
Bindo Labs subsidiary Wonder will try to kick-start adoption by giving taxi drivers the required equipment – worth HK$8,600 (US$1,098) – for the next six months.
Proposals submitted by taxi trade propose 17% fare increases in cabs serving urban areas, the New Territories and Lantau Island.
Under three-month trial run, volunteers will help passengers at taxi ranks in Lan Kwai Fong fill out information card detailing vehicle’s registration number, destination and estimated fare to help follow up on any complaints.
Motorcyclist, 56, thrown off vehicle after colliding with cab and later run over by private car.
Two pedestrians died and four were injured when Mok Pui-wa sped up ahead of red light as he tried to overtake cars, with his taxi slamming into safety island.
New system linking meter to e-payment modes will be tested under pilot phase, developers say.
Mok Pui-wa’s taxi slammed into busy crossing after he accelerated to overtake cars, with pregnant woman and 4-year-old boy among those hit.
Readers discuss the regulatory quagmire facing ride-railing operators in Hong Kong, and the need to review taxi driver performance.
Dr Wilson Ho, 59, is remembered by peers and patients as kind, caring and a pioneer in the field.
Renowned plastic surgeon Dr Wilson Ho was pronounced dead at hospital along with mainland Chinese passenger, and cabby arrested on suspicion of dangerous driving causing death.
Police officer posing as customer hailed the taxi displaying an out-of-service sign, according to source familiar with the case.
Octopus says it will open up its payment networks for the first time in 26 years to UnionPay, Alipay and AlipayHK.
Base fare for red taxis will rise to HK$32 under the proposal, HK$28 and HK$26.5 for green and blue cabs, respectively.
Part-time cabby hits on a winning formula making videos describing life behind the wheel, warts and all.
From Beijing flexing its muscles in the South China Sea to a cold spell hitting Hong Kong, here are a few highlights from SCMP’s recent reporting.
Some say city’s image at stake amid complaints about horror rides, bad behaviour by rude cabbies and lack of e-payment solutions.
A review is to be held in a bid to put the brakes on illegal ride-hailing services; findings to be discussed with taxi industry and others involved in six months.
Hong Kong Tele-call Taxi Association signs deal with world’s biggest e-vehicle maker amid government-backed drive to introduce 3,000 electric cabs in less than four years.
Taxi driver overheard victim and woman arguing over relationship issues in cab, source says.
Transport commissioner Angela Lee orders investigation into the incident that saw 4,700 motorists charged extra between 10.02am and 11.04am
Readers discuss Moody’s downgrade of Hong Kong’s credit outlook, giving RCEP more attention, and one easy way to make taxis more competitive.
New charges with higher tolls at peak times for most commercial vehicles came into force on Sunday morning.
Readers discuss the revision of China’s Cultural Relics Protection Law, navigating Hong Kong’s Covid-19 vaccine booking site, replacing taxis with new transport modes and peak interest rates.
Transport secretary Lam Sai-hung says measure needed to combat ‘black sheep’ in trade and improve industry’s image.
